In Brief
This case concerns an eviction petition filed by a landlord (appellant Ambika Murali) against tenants under rent control law based on non-payment of rent, unauthorized subletting, and creating additional accommodation. The Rent Controller passed an ex-parte eviction decree on 27.02.2004. The tenants discovered the decree only when the court officer arrived to take possession and immediately filed an application to set aside it, with condonation of a 175-day delay. The High Court allowed the condonation, finding the delay bona fide and well-explained. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, dismissing the landlord's appeal and directing the matter to proceed on merits before the Rent Controller."
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